Android Market Suffers Download Failures with Android 2.3 Imminent

Google's Android Market is having major problems letting Android smartphone users download and install apps. The issue comes as Android 2.3 is prepping for launch.

Google Android smartphone users may be thrilled about the prospect of the
new Android 2.3 operating system build that is allegedly coming out this week,
but there is a new nagging issue that has some fans frothing.
Users of Android phones all over the world are unable to install or
uninstall applications from the Android Market to their handsets.

This is obviously a huge problem for devices whose value can be measured by
the applications people run on them. The Android Market currently hosts more
than 100,000 free and paid applications.

There have been more than 200 posts about this problem in this thread that began Oct. 25 on the Android Market Help Forum. Owners
of devices ranging from the Motorola Droid X to the HTC
Desire and HTC myTouch handsets have made
their gripes known.
T-Mobile myTouch owner ClaurenM wrote Nov. 4: "I get this in the
notification and in the list of downloads (Market -> Downloads button). It
hangs on -Starting download. . .' no progress, then I get -Download
unsuccessful.' This is happening for updates and new app installations."
HTC Desire owner Deggers in the U.K.
wrote Nov. 4: "I had an iPhone for 2 years and never experienced anything
such as this. No announcements to customers on the marketplace website, no
response on here. It's shameful! I have apps which now do, download. I also
have apps which download but are still failing to move into install mode!"
Google isn't saying anything officially and has kept quiet on the forum
despite pleas from users for help. However, a source familiar with Android
Market operations said Google is aware of the issue and "working rapidly
on a resolution."
Some believe the issue is related to Android software upgrades,
claiming it is fixable by reverting to the factory version of the device, or
the settings with which the handset was built and sent to market.
Users may try this by going on their phone to "settings," "applications," "manage
applications," "market," then "uninstall updates." The device will revert to
the factory version and users should be able to download or uninstall apps.
Factory resets didn't help Motorola Droid X owner and IT manager Don
Rennard, who toldeWEEK he tried
installing apps on two different Droid X phones using three different memory
cards.
"All got stuck on Install for new apps or updates for existing apps.
Had worked fine for months, then suddenly not. Factory resets didn't help.
Realized I had formatted all 3 cards in my Droid X. Reformatted card on my PC,
reinserted in phone, works perfectly. Must be an issue with Froyo or Motorola
formatting firmware."
Android Market problems are nothing new.
Users have complained of issues ranging from applications that infringe copyright to limited availability of paid apps. Developers have complained
about not being able to sell apps via the Market in various countries. Google
has taken steps to address the issues.
The inability to install or uninstall apps comes as Google is set to unveil
its next OS build, Android 2.3, code-named Gingerbread.
Kron0x, a member of the Open Handset Alliance (OHA), tweeted Nov. 7 that Nexus One owners should get ready
for an over-the-air update "in the next few days."